Paradisus – Jasper Baydala
Paradisus - Jasper Baydala
ABT019 – Paradisus by Jasper Baser Baydala
Paradisus is the name of a five star all-inclusive resort on the Northern coast of Cuba where Baydala spent two weeks Christmas Vacation. The book is an account of this reality, not much embellished. People work hard all year, excepting themselves during these two weeks of freedom. They might be sexless, middle aged, etc. – but all patrons of the resort consistently turn up around bars and beaches, numbing themselves on daiquiris, club sandwiches and best-sellers day after day. A question of why this time is spent by presumably intelligent people instantly arises. These characters, who are indeed actual, are not quite aware of any reality beyond the walls of the resort. This is something we the reader can only plainly see.
Baydala’s perspective as narrator is no more justified than his family or other resort guests, it only serves to expose it. He merely relates the occurrences at Paradisus, and with facts laid out in front of us, we are able to gleam its softened sadness.
The book is a comfortable length, and with its many tight chapters it is a pleasure to digest. Its sense of time, heat, and color are much like the plump plates of buffet at the restaurant. We suggest you try.
Baydala has travelled to over forty countries, and is a prolific visual artist and musician. He currently works for Arbutus Records and is heavily integrated into the Montreal independent music scene. Baydala recently released a split album with longtime friend, Sean Nicholas Savage (Won Ton Jaz, Arbutus Records, 2011) and is an internationally distributed filmmaker (First Kiss, Capita Snowboards, 2008).